chain of command

American  

noun

1. a series of administrative or military ranks, positions, etc., in which each has direct authority over the one immediately below.

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Etymology

Origin of chain of command

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Donaldson quickly rose through the DUP's ranks, no longer a politician of protest but a key figure in the party's chain of command, developing a reputation as a strong media performer and policymaker.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026

It combines three special investigations bureaus from each of the three military branches into one, removing them from any direct chain of command.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Firefighters said they adhered to the LAFD’s strict chain of command and did not question higher-ups, while those in charge had fuzzy memories or shifted responsibility to others.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

A deputy steps forward; the chain of command stabilizes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

For a safety expert at the top of the chain of command, who lives every day with the responsibility for managing risks, the bird traps set out by her underlings are a distant memory.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• bureaucracy
• hierarchy
• network
• structure